London24NEWS

Revealed: The most lovely villages within the UK

The most lovely villages within the UK have been named – and ranked – with the prize for essentially the most picturesque going to a fishing townlet with ‘gorgeous surroundings in every single place’.

So reveals Big 7 Travel, which requested among the UK’s main journey photographers to vote for the nation’s most lovely villages after which used their responses to compile the checklist.

From coastal communities with breathtaking vistas to countryside boltholes with cobbled streets and charming stone homes, the 20-strong rating is certain to ignite your wanderlust.

It options well-liked locations equivalent to Cornwall’s Port Isaac and Devon’s South Pool in addition to lesser-known gems equivalent to Alnmouth, Northumberland, and Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.

Ullapool in Ross and Cromarty, Lower Slaughter within the Cotswolds and Snowdonia’s Betws-y-Coed additionally characteristic among the many photographers’ favourites.

Scroll down for the complete rating, introduced right here in reverse order. In concept, the additional you scroll, the extra mesmerised you may be. Don’t agree with the order? Cast your vote in your favorite in our ballot on the backside…

20. TURVILLE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND: Turville is the picture-perfect image of a rural English village. So says Big 7 Travel, which praises its Tudor cottages, picket fences, historic church, 'pretty windmill' and 'friendly' 16th-century pub. 'The setting is so quaint that it¿s been featured on many TV shows, including Killing Eve and The Vicar of Dibley,' the travel site adds

20. TURVILLE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND: Turville is the picture-perfect picture of a rural English village. So says Big 7 Travel, which praises its Tudor cottages, picket fences, historic church, ‘fairly windmill’ and ‘pleasant’ Sixteenth-century pub. ‘The setting is so quaint that it’s been featured on many TV exhibits, together with Killing Eve and The Vicar of Dibley,’ the journey web site provides

19. SOUTH POOL, DEVON, ENGLAND: Ways to pass the time here? 'Walks along picturesque paths, watching the creek¿s changing tide, and soaking up the coastal sun in a cosy pub garden,' says Big 7 Travel, adding: 'When the tide is high, boats and canoes glide through the waters, bobbing past whitewashed cottages and lush green hills'

19. SOUTH POOL, DEVON, ENGLAND: Ways to go the time right here? ‘Walks alongside picturesque paths, watching the creek’s altering tide, and absorbing the coastal solar in a comfortable pub backyard,’ says Big 7 Travel, including: ‘When the tide is excessive, boats and canoes glide via the waters, bobbing previous whitewashed cottages and luxurious inexperienced hills’

18. SONNING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND: 'Honey-coloured cottages and overhanging trees along the River Thames' are what visitors can expect in Sonning, described by Big 7 Travel as 'a little fairytale nook of Berkshire'. The website recommends the 'charming' pub gardens and riverside tearooms and taking a boat tour to marvel at the riverside mansions, adding that the village is 'so idyllic that it has attracted many celebrities, including George and Amal Clooney'

18. SONNING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND: ‘Honey-coloured cottages and overhanging timber alongside the River Thames’ are what guests can count on in Sonning, described by Big 7 Travel as ‘a little bit fairytale nook of Berkshire’. The web site recommends the ‘charming’ pub gardens and riverside tearooms and taking a ship tour to marvel on the riverside mansions, including that the village is ‘so idyllic that it has attracted many celebrities, together with George and Amal Clooney’

17. LOWER SLAUGHTER, THE COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND: 'Lower Slaughter is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds,' says Big 7 Travel, 'with traditional limestone cottages, pretty stone footbridges, the calm River Eye running through, and an old water mill. There has been no building work in Lower Slaughter since 1906, so a walk through the village really does feel like stepping back in time'

17. LOWER SLAUGHTER, THE COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND: ‘Lower Slaughter is without doubt one of the most lovely villages within the Cotswolds,’ says Big 7 Travel, ‘with conventional limestone cottages, fairly stone footbridges, the calm River Eye operating via, and an outdated water mill. There has been no constructing work in Lower Slaughter since 1906, so a stroll via the village actually does really feel like stepping again in time’

16. ALFRISTON, EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND: Nestled along the banks of Cuckmere River just 16 miles (25km) from the city of Brighton, Alfriston is said to be a place that 'embodies idyllic village life'. Think 'cosy' thatch-roofed pubs, 'chocolate-box cottages', medieval buildings and independent shops

16. ALFRISTON, EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND: Nestled alongside the banks of Cuckmere River simply 16 miles (25km) from town of Brighton, Alfriston is alleged to be a spot that ’embodies idyllic village life’. Think ‘cosy’ thatch-roofed pubs, ‘chocolate-box cottages’, medieval buildings and impartial outlets

15. ALNMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGLAND: This 'quiet yet quaint village' is 'clinging to the edges of the North Sea. When the tide is out, the golden sands come into vision, creating a perfectly curved soft sand beach. With kite surfers taking to the waters and colourful townhouses in the background, it¿s a picture-perfect scene.'

15. ALNMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGLAND: ‘Alnmouth is a quiet but quaint village clinging to the perimeters of the North Sea,’ says Big 7 Travel. ‘When the tide is out, the golden sands come into imaginative and prescient, creating a superbly curved mushy sand seaside. With kite surfers taking to the waters and vibrant townhouses within the background, it’s a picture-perfect scene’

14. BETWS-Y-COED, SNOWDONIA, WALES: This Welsh village is 'as pretty as can be' with its slate houses set along a 'gentle river flanked by lush greenery'. It is described as the 'gateway to the grandeur of Snowdonia', with 'natural beauty aplenty'

14. BETWS-Y-COED, SNOWDONIA, WALES: This Welsh village is ‘as fairly as might be’ with its slate homes set alongside a ‘mild river flanked by lush greenery’. It is described because the ‘gateway to the grandeur of Snowdonia’, with ‘pure magnificence aplenty’

13. BEDDGELERT, SNOWDONIA, WALES: 'Nestled in the foothills of Snowdon, this village is as scenic as you can get,' says Big 7 Travel. The village is 'a pretty smattering of grey-stone cottages, cosy pubs, and craft shops' while the 'dramatic' surrounding scenery 'stretches up to the mountaintop, which you can take in from the village¿s stone bridge'

13. BEDDGELERT, SNOWDONIA, WALES: ‘Nestled within the foothills of Snowdon, this village is as scenic as you may get,’ says Big 7 Travel. The village is ‘a fairly smattering of grey-stone cottages, cosy pubs, and craft outlets’ whereas the ‘dramatic’ surrounding surroundings ‘stretches as much as the mountaintop, which you’ll soak up from the village’s stone bridge’

12. PORTLOE, CORNWALL, ENGLAND: A 'cluster of sea-sprayed, whitewashed cottages' make up the village of Portloe, which is perched on the Roseland Peninsula. It is said to be 'a true snapshot of what a peaceful Cornish fishing village is like', with 'blissfully uncrowded' beaches and 'jaw-droppingly beautiful' coastal walks

12. PORTLOE, CORNWALL, ENGLAND: A ‘cluster of sea-sprayed, whitewashed cottages’ make up the village of Portloe, which is perched on the Roseland Peninsula. It is alleged to be ‘a real snapshot of what a peaceable Cornish fishing village is like’, with ‘blissfully uncrowded’ seashores and ‘jaw-droppingly lovely’ coastal walks

11. CRAIL, FIFE, SCOTLAND: This quiet, scenic fishing village boasts 'the prettiest harbour in the coastal region', comprising a 'maze of sloping streets, quaint cafes, independent eateries and charming speciality stores'

11. CRAIL, FIFE, SCOTLAND: This quiet, scenic fishing village boasts ‘the prettiest harbour within the coastal area’, comprising a ‘maze of sloping streets, quaint cafes, impartial eateries and charming speciality shops’

10. LAUGHARNE, CARMARTHENSHIRE, WALES: 'When you pay a visit to lovely Laugharne, it¿s not hard to see why Dylan Thomas loved it so much,' says Big 7 Travel. The Welsh poet described it as 'timeless' and 'beguiling'. Today, visitors can 'stop by his house, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, overlooking the calm estuary'. Note - Laugharne is listed as a town on many websites

10. LAUGHARNE, CARMARTHENSHIRE, WALES: ‘When you pay a go to to pretty Laugharne, it’s not exhausting to see why Dylan Thomas liked it a lot,’ says Big 7 Travel. The Welsh poet described it as ‘timeless’ and ‘beguiling’. Today, guests can ‘cease by his home, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, overlooking the calm estuary’. Note – Laugharne is listed as a city on many web sites

9. SOLVA, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES: Solva is 'postcard-perfect', with its 'brightly painted cottages' set among the 'sweeping landscapes' of the Pembrokeshire Coast. The 'timeless' village is 'not short of things to do', offering an abundance of 'cosy' pubs, delis, craft stores, galleries and more. However, climbing the Gribin ridge is 'arguably the best thing to do here'

9. SOLVA, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES: Solva is ‘postcard-perfect’, with its ‘brightly painted cottages’ set among the many ‘sweeping landscapes’ of the Pembrokeshire Coast. The ‘timeless’ village is ‘not in need of issues to do’, providing an abundance of ‘cosy’ pubs, delis, craft shops, galleries and extra. However, climbing the Gribin ridge is ‘arguably the most effective factor to do right here’

8. CARTMEL, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND: Packed with Edwardian charm, Cartmel is a beautiful village on the edge of the Lake District. So says Big 7 Travel, which it says is home to a 'picturesque maze of limestone cottages, cobblestone lanes, and a 12th-century Priory'. The village is also 'a bustling hotspot for boutique hotels and fine dining restaurants', with the list including chef Simon Rogan¿s three-Michelin-starred L'Enclume

8. CARTMEL, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND: Packed with Edwardian attraction, Cartmel is a good looking village on the sting of the Lake District. So says Big 7 Travel, which it says is house to a ‘picturesque maze of limestone cottages, cobblestone lanes, and a Twelfth-century Priory’. The village can be ‘a bustling hotspot for boutique inns and wonderful eating eating places’, with the checklist together with chef Simon Rogan’s three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume

7. ST ABBS, SCOTTISH BORDERS, SCOTLAND: Marvel movie fans might recognise this quaint village from Avengers: Endgame, says Big 7 Travel. 'While the harbour is dotted with colourful fishing boats and the whitewashed houses are beautiful, the rugged coastal scenery is the standout here,' it adds, praising its volcanic cliff faces and unspoilt sea views

7. ST ABBS, SCOTTISH BORDERS, SCOTLAND: Marvel film followers would possibly recognise this quaint village from Avengers: Endgame, says Big 7 Travel. ‘While the harbour is dotted with vibrant fishing boats and the whitewashed homes are lovely, the rugged coastal surroundings is the standout right here,’ it provides, praising its volcanic cliff faces and unspoilt sea views

6. DENT, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND: 'Sunken into a deep valley', this 'sleepy village' consists of whitewashed cottages, sloping alleyways, a blacksmith and 'just two traditional pubs'. The surrounding area, meanwhile, offers 'plenty of walking trails' such as the Dales Way

6. DENT, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND: ‘Sunken right into a deep valley’, this ‘sleepy village’ consists of whitewashed cottages, sloping alleyways, a blacksmith and ‘simply two conventional pubs’. The surrounding space, in the meantime, gives ‘loads of strolling trails’ such because the Dales Way

5. CUSHENDUN, COUNTY ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND: There's 'lots to love' in Cushendun, from the 'sheltered harbour' to the 'expansive beaches', says Big 7 Travel, adding: 'Whitewashed cottages, rose gardens, and historical buildings make up the town, while the surrounding area is full of hikes'

5. CUSHENDUN, COUNTY ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND: There’s ‘tons to like’ in Cushendun, from the ‘sheltered harbour’ to the ‘expansive seashores’, says Big 7 Travel, including: ‘Whitewashed cottages, rose gardens, and historic buildings make up the city, whereas the encompassing space is stuffed with hikes’

4. CULROSS, FIFE, SCOTLAND: With its rows of golden and pastel-hued 17th-century cottages, Culross is as charming as can be. So says Big 7 Travel, which adds: 'The National Trust of Scotland has ensured the village is frozen in time, perfectly preserving this slice of pretty history'

4. CULROSS, FIFE, SCOTLAND: With its rows of golden and pastel-hued Seventeenth-century cottages, Culross is as charming as might be. So says Big 7 Travel, which provides: ‘The National Trust of Scotland has ensured the village is frozen in time, completely preserving this slice of fairly historical past’

3. PORT ISAAC, CORNWALL, ENGLAND: Taking third place on the winners' podium is this Cornish coastal village, which boasts 'sloping 14th-century narrow streets' and 'cute shops'. It is described as 'an idyllic setting, where you can watch fishing boats throw their lines and sail back to the harbour with the day¿s catch'

3. PORT ISAAC, CORNWALL, ENGLAND: Taking third place on the winners’ podium is that this Cornish coastal village, which boasts ‘sloping 14th-century slim streets’ and ‘cute outlets’. It is described as ‘an idyllic setting, the place you’ll be able to watch fishing boats throw their strains and sail again to the harbour with the day’s catch’

2. TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND: Even on the greyest of days, the colourful seafront cottages of Tobermory are beautifully bright. That's according to Big 7 Travel, which says the village is 'so photogenic' that CBeebies children's show Balamory was filmed here

2. TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND: Even on the greyest of days, the colorful seafront cottages of Tobermory are superbly brilliant. That’s in response to Big 7 Travel, which says the village is ‘so photogenic’ that CBeebies youngsters’s present Balamory was filmed right here

1. ULLAPOOL, ROSS AND CROMARTY, SCOTLAND: Behold the UK's 'most beautiful village' - Ullapool - situated on the shores of Loch Broom 'in one of the most unspoilt areas of the UK'. 'The harbour has a timeless buzz,' says Big 7 Travel, 'with fishing boats casting their nets as they've done for centuries.' Visitors can 'easily perch on the waterfront and soak it all in for hours'. Meanwhile, a short drive away is Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, which is home to 'golden eagles, wildcats, pine martens and other wildlife, as well as the highly photographed hill, Stac Pollaidh'

1. ULLAPOOL, ROSS AND CROMARTY, SCOTLAND: Behold the UK’s ‘most lovely village’ – Ullapool – located on the shores of Loch Broom ‘in probably the most unspoilt areas of the UK’. ‘The harbour has a timeless buzz,’ says Big 7 Travel, ‘with fishing boats casting their nets as they’ve carried out for hundreds of years.’ Visitors can ‘simply perch on the waterfront and soak all of it in for hours’. Meanwhile, a brief drive away is Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, which is house to ‘golden eagles, wildcats, pine martens and different wildlife, in addition to the extremely photographed hill, Stac Pollaidh’

THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK

1. Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty

2. Tobermory, Isle of Mull

3. Port Isaac, Cornwall 

4. Culross, Fife 

5. Cushendun, County Antrim 

6. Dent, Cumbria

7. St. Abbs, Scottish Borders

8. Cartmel, Cumbria 

9. Solva, Pembrokeshire 

10. Laugharne, Carmarthenshire

11. Crail, Fife

12. Portloe, Cornwall

13. Beddgelert, Snowdonia

14. Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia

15. Alnmouth, Northumberland

16. Alfriston, East Sussex

17. Lower Slaughter, the Cotswolds 

18. Sonning, Berkshire

19. South Pool, Devon 

20. Turville, Buckinghamshire

Source: Big 7 Travel

Advertisement